If your skin is feeling extra dry right now, firstly: you’re not alone. Secondly, the right moisturiser can work wonders in terms of restoring hydration and repairing the skin’s moisture barrier. So, to help you find the top hydrators for the job as well as the ultimate formula for your skin type (oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, combination skin: we’ve got you covered), we’ve rounded up the best moisturisers including day creams and night creams that guarantee hydrated, healthy and glowing skin all year round.
By Amelia Bell, 12 January 2022
How we choose the best face moisturisers
From protecting your skin against blue light to adding an extra layer of hydration, no two moisturising formulas are created equal. How do we select the crème de la crème? To narrow down our choice of the best face creams, we’ve considered everything from different skin types to sensitivities and ingredients (including the level of hydration, absorption and finish), their ability to brighten up your skin tone and how the creams look and feel under your makeup, to ensure there’s a moisturiser made with everyone in mind. Of course, with a helping hand from some five-star reviews, too...
Ultra Facial Moisturizer
Best for: Extremely dry skin
If you’re looking for a featherweight finish you won’t find one as light or fast-absorbing as Kiehl’s long-loved Ultra Facial Moisturiser. But don’t let that fool you—this hardworking moisturiser is also packed with deeply nourishing ingredients (think: Glycerin, Squalane, Avocado Oil and Vitamin E) to guarantee all-day hydration. It sinks into the skin in a matter of seconds without ever making your skin feel greasy and providing the perfect base for makeup.
The hype: “Formulated to hold moisture in the upper layers of your skin, this keeps things hydrated for much longer than most, but without any greasiness. If you're a 'one product and go' sort of person, make it this.” - Glamour
Lait-Crème Concentré
Best for: Sensitive skin
Loved by every expert in the business, this little tube thought up by French pharmacy brand, Emrbyolisse, has made a name for itself as one of the best face moisturisers multitasking formulas money can buy. Five-star reviews aside, the rich lotion can be used in so many different ways… apply it to dry, flaky patches, use it to remove your makeup (in place of a cleanser), as a primer, or simply as your daytime and evening moisturiser. Enriched with essential fatty acids and vitamins to nourish dry skin from top to toe, it’s been specifically formulated with minimal ingredients too so that it works for sensitive skin. In short, it’s the kind of cream that deserves a spot in every skincare bag and one that you’ll return to time and time again.
The hype: “Now that it’s easily available and affordable in the UK (no more Eurostar tickets required, thankfully) I keep it as a go-to moisturiser in case of any irritation flare-ups. I also add it to foundation for quick, dewy skin or if I need an extra shot of hydration. I always take it with me when I’m flying long-haul and it works to rectify any skin issues that might crop up when I’m abroad. It’s extremely rich so a small dose is all I find I need” - Lauren Murdoch-Smith, Vogue
Ultra Repair Cream
Best for: Sensitive skin
If your skin is prone to sensitivities like eczema, dryness, itchy skin or irritation, First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream will prove a salve. With a lotion-like consistency, it is both essential oil and fragrance-free and loaded with skin-soothing ingredients like eucalyptus, oatmeal, vitamin-rich shea butter and ceramides (the lipids, or fats, needed for a healthy skin barrier) to protect your skin from daily aggressors and improve irritation in the long run.
The hype: “I use this every day, sometimes twice. I’ve become a poster child for this moisturizer and will probably never stop using it. My biggest skin concerns— irritation and dryness—are a non-issue with this moisturizer because it’s literally made for the most sensitive skin. I like that it’s thick, too (light creams never feel moisturizing to me) and that it leaves my skin looking moist and supple. If anything, it could maybe be a little thicker, but I like the consistency just fine.” - Tembe Denton-Hurst, Byrdie.
Eight Hour Cream Intensive Daily Moisturizer For Face SPF15 PA++
Best for: Mature skin
If you love the OG apricot-coloured Eight Hour Cream, give this new addition by Elizabeth Arden a whirl. Not only is it like a giant glass of water for your skin, but it goes one step further to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays (because you still need to wear SPF indoors and when the sun’s not shining!) as well as blocking out external aggressors like pollution and extreme weather conditions. The result? A multitasking cream that melts into the skin and keeps it intensely hydrated for hours on end.
The hype: “I bought this a few months ago and I suffer with rosacea, it has really helped calm it down. I also love the fact it has sunscreen built in and glides on easily. Has a wonderful fresh smell and leaves your skin super hydrated.” - Customer review
Superfood Glow Priming Moisturiser
Best for: Dull skin
Since launching last year, this hybrid highlighter, primer and moisturiser has garnered a lot of attention. Why? Loaded with kombucha, fermented ginger, light-reflecting minerals and more, this sheer moisturising cream is packed with all the natural goodness to give tired-looking skin a boost, all the while minimising your skincare routine too. Top tip: Use it as your primer and moisturiser in the morning (trust us when we say: the glow is instant) or, as a dewy highlighter by adding a dot on the high points of the face to create a lit-from-within glow.
The hype: “Overall, it’s a handy product for when you want a healthier-looking complexion without any make-up – or, when you want to add a natural glow to a no-make-up make-up look. This is all I’ll be wearing for the foreseeable.” - Hanna Ibraheem, Stylist
Neroli Bigarade Hydrating Light Day Cream
Best for: Natural ingredients
Harnessing the power of natural ingredients, this lightweight formula features neroli essential oil, Jojoba botanical oil and Baikal skullcap root extract to hydrate thirsty skin. Better yet, it’ll actually help improve both the texture and overall appearance of your skin—so you can expect a smooth finish that never cakes under your foundation. Use it in the morning post-cleanse and serum and before your eye cream. It’s one of the best day moisturisers we’ve found.
The hype: “My absolute summer fave! I LOVE the new formula, it feels much softer on my skin and I can actually feel it working. I am a real lover of natural skincare and I'm so pleased that Decleor have made their products using more naturally-derived ingredients.” - Jasmina, customer review
Face Moisturiser with Argan Powder
Best for: Sustainability
Kind to the planet and to your skin, UpCircle’s Face Moisturiser ticks a lot of boxes. By repurposing and reusing discarded argan shells, a natural byproduct of Argan Oil, UpCircle not only extends the life of ingredients that would otherwise go to landfill, but also creates a deeply hydrating day cream in the process too. Thanks to Argan Oil, this nourishing moisturiser is rich in Vitamin E and fatty acids that help reinforce the natural skin barrier and add a burst of hydration. Together with the zesty and uplifting scent, you’ll want to use it day in day out.
The hype: “Love this moisturiser. The UpCircle range is fantastic. Eco friendly, sustainable packaging and the products are great. I use the moisturiser morning and night and my skin loves it!”. - Rachel, customer review